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Features Comparison: Buick Encore vs. Volkswagen Passat
| Model Year | 2016 | 2016 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 | 2018 |
| Model | Encore | Encore | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat |
| Trim | Base | Sport Touring | 2.0T S | 2.0T R-Line | 2.0T SE | V6 GT | 2.0T SEL Premium | V6 SEL Premium |
| Engines | ||||||||
| Transmissions | ||||||||
| Drivetrains | ||||||||
| Tires | ||||||||
| Audio Systems | ||||||||
| Accessories | ||||||||
| Powers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier. | ||||||||
| Cancels out interior noise by playing the opposite noise through the vehicle's speakers. | ||||||||
| Automatically maintains set distance behind preceding vehicle as well as set speed. Minimum speed around 30 mph. Replaces regular cruise control, and includes its value. | ||||||||
| Release latch by waving a foot beneath the bumper or a hand near a sensor. | ||||||||
| Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | ||||||||
| Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | ||||||||
| Check on car and remotely control various functions (remote start, locks, lights, and/or HVAC) from a telephone or computer. Can require a monthly fee. | ||||||||
| Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||||
| Start the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in. | ||||||||
| Automatically steers the vehicle into a parking space. Driver operates the transmission, and sometimes also the brake and accelerator. | ||||||||
| Homelink. | ||||||||
| Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | ||||||||
| Rear disc brakes. | ||||||||
| Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||||
| Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | ||||||||
| Automatically brakes car to avoid low-speed collisions. | ||||||||
| Mirror-mounted lights indicate when another vehicle is in a blind spot. | ||||||||
| When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | ||||||||
| Automatically applies the brakes if you're about to back into the path of an oncoming car. | ||||||||
| Warns of traffic coming from either direction when vehicle is in reverse, to prevent accidents when backing out of parking spaces. | ||||||||
| Applies the brakes to a slipping drive wheel to transfer torque to the other side, simulating the effect of a limited-slip differential. We haven't identified all applications, often implied by traction control. | ||||||||
| Alerts driver when approaching the preceding car too quickly. | ||||||||
| Mandatory, in all cars. | ||||||||
| Steering lightly applied to help prevent the vehicle from inadvertently traveling out of its intended lane. | ||||||||
| Alerts driver when the vehicle seems to be wandering out of the lane. | ||||||||
| Beeps signal distance to object in front of vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||||||
| Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||||||
| Torso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||||||
| Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system. | ||||||||
| Deploys extended duration side curtain airbags when the vehicle rolls over. Usually included on tall vehicles. Rare on others. | ||||||||
| Automatically applies brakes when the car is hit to prevent it from hitting a second object. | ||||||||
| Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | ||||||||
| Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | ||||||||
| Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | ||||||||
| When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | ||||||||
| Periodically uploads and emails a vehicle diagnostic check. | ||||||||
| Cargo Management | ||||||||
| Usually part of an overhead console. | ||||||||
| Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | ||||||||
| Requires roof rails. Together constitute a roof rack. | ||||||||
| No crossbars. | ||||||||
| Large storage area beneath the load floor, often compartmentalized. | ||||||||
| Climate Control | ||||||||
| Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||||
| Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||||
| Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | ||||||||
| Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | ||||||||
| Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling. | ||||||||
| Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | ||||||||
| Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | ||||||||
| Engine / Motor | ||||||||
| Automatically cuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and restarts it when the driver lifts off the brake pedal. Not listed for hybrids, where it is generally part of the powertrain system. | ||||||||
| Plugs into electrical outlet to warm up the engine. Facilitates starting in extreme cold. | ||||||||
| Exterior | ||||||||
| Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron. | ||||||||
| Protective cladding extending partly onto the doors. | ||||||||
| Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots. | ||||||||
| Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | ||||||||
| Reduces interior noise, prevents side windows from shattering. | ||||||||
| Only listed if a second, smaller spoiler is also standard or optional. No additional value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Flaps mounted behind two to four wheels, to protect the body from mud and rocks. | ||||||||
| Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Extensions to the wheel opening, both decorative and protective. | ||||||||
| Infotainment | ||||||||
| Higher speed Internet connection. Monthly fee after trial period. | ||||||||
| Requires compatible Android phone. | ||||||||
| Touchscreen and/or voice control over apps that can include online search, Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, OpenTable, and MovieTickets.com. Requires connected compatible phone. Fees may apply after first three years. | ||||||||
| Requires compatible Apple iPhone. | ||||||||
| Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | ||||||||
| Uses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone. | ||||||||
| Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | ||||||||
| High-definition radio, which broadcasts a digital signal. Free, no subscription fees. | ||||||||
| Mirrors a phone's display on the car's infotainment display. Permits interaction with approved apps. | ||||||||
| Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | ||||||||
| Screen-based navigation system. | ||||||||
| XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | ||||||||
| SD, CF, PCMCIA, or other digital media reader. | ||||||||
| Activate Siri using button on steering wheel. Make calls, hear and dictate texts and email, manage calendar, turn-by-turn nav. Requires iPhone 4S or higher. | ||||||||
| Converts text messages to speech. | ||||||||
| In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system. For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 1-12 months. | ||||||||
| In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system plus turn-by-turn navigation (no map display). For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 1-12 months. | ||||||||
| Information about traffic plus weather, gas prices, sports news, and/or movie times. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | ||||||||
| Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls. | ||||||||
| Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||||||
| Phone or other device operated via the vehicle's voice command system. Requires a compatible device--all aren't supported. | ||||||||
| Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||||||
| Provides Wi-Fi within the car. Includes internal modem, usually requires car-specific broadband service with monthly fee. | ||||||||
| Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | ||||||||
| Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||
| Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | ||||||||
| We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | ||||||||
| Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | ||||||||
| Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | ||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||
| Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||
| LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. | ||||||||
| LED headlights last longer and use less energy than other types. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Front row reading lights. | ||||||||
| Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | ||||||||
| Mirrors fold and unfold with the touch of a button inside the vehicle. Good for narrow roads and parking lots. | ||||||||
| Displays the current speed limit. Included with nav on an increasing number of cars. No feature value here because incomplete info on availability. | ||||||||
| Fog light on the appropriate side turns on (and might also swivel) when the steering wheel is turned. Requires and does not include value of fog lights. | ||||||||
| Reports engine speed. | ||||||||
| Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | ||||||||
| Seats and Interior Trim | ||||||||
| All-weather floormats. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| For carrying long items. Possibly also useful as a work surface. | ||||||||
| Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | ||||||||
| Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | ||||||||
| Manually adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||
| Power-adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||
| Power-adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||
| Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||
| A.k.a vinyl, leatherette, MB-Tex, NuLuxe. | ||||||||
| Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | ||||||||
| Alloy wheels plated with chrome. Some use a more durable, alternative process (PVD, Superchrome). Replace and include value of regular alloy wheels. | ||||||||
| Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
| Lug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels. | ||||||||
| Transmission | ||||||||
| Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. | ||||||||
Option Package Contents
Preferred II Group
Essence Group
Premium Group
Experience Buick Package
Driver Assistance Package
Rear Traffic Alert
Technology Package
MIB II Discover Media
Lighting Package
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